Korean Identity Constructions in Relation to Racialized Differences

KOREAN IDENTITY CONSTRUCTIONS IN RELATION TO RACIALIZED DIFFERENCES BY JUNG-WON SUH DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Policy Studies in the Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2015 Urbana, Illinois Doctoral Committee: Associate Professor Yoon K. Pak, Chair Professor James D. Anderson Professor William Cope Associate Professor Linda Herrera Abstract This research critically analyzes discourses concerning Korean identities in public and private sphere. It focuses on the development of discourses from mono-ethnic to multicultural Korean identities during 1990s-2000s. The rising discourses of multicultural diversity in Korean society can be seen as a strategic choice of Korean government and individuals alike in order to be successfully integrated into the globalization process. Strategic identity constructions do not necessarily imply a linear, progressive and teleological development or westernization. Rather, it should be viewed as a flexible and sustainable developmental strategy that a nation, such as Korea, constantly transforms and adapting itself to neoliberal globalization within its constrained and changing conditions. This view of identity constructions as part of strategic globalization is based on an investigation of discourses of mono-ethnic and multicultural Koreanness in contemporary Korean society, using Foucault’s theory of governmentality and discourse as reference of framework. Analyses of the discourses were conducted in two different levels: public and individual. Public discourses were analyzed through investigations on K-12 textbooks in the field of ethics and social studies, and included public advertisements. Individual and small group interviews were conducted in order to analyze individual level discourses on what it means to be Korean in triangulation with the public discourses. The juxtaposition of these two discursive perspectives revealed different facets of the discursive constructions of Korean identities. Seemingly contradicting discourses of mono-ethnic homogeneity and multicultural diversity as Korean identities are not mutually exclusive. Rather, public discourses from the textbooks presented mono-ethnic loyalty and multicultural diversity as one desire of Koreans: the desire to establish a rich and strong nation advancing into the ii global world through peaceful unification with North Korea. For global advancement, Koreans should be multicultural citizens well-versed in diversity of any kind, but for unification, Koreans should keep their ethnic loyalty. Individual discourses demonstrated their desire to become active participants in the process of globalization, while coveting for more advantages in the society through different discourses on Koreanness. Individuals strategically engaged mono-ethnic and multicultural identities according to their needs in different contexts. Korean individuals did not fully abide by the government’s molding. Yet, they endeavor to acquire necessary multicultural sophistication in order to become a successfully globalized member of the Korean society. At the same time, they covet for more advantageous place in the society by objectifying the recent immigrant population or by hierarchically labelling the different cultures associated with different groups of people. In brief, seemingly shifting discourses on Koreanness as mono-ethnic to multicultural does not represent the changing identities of Koreans. On the contrary, the shift in discourses of Korean identities imply that discursive constitution of identities are strategically utilized as means of gaining global membership in Korean society, or gaining a superior legitimacy as a Korean. Korean individuals are developing more sophisticated strategies and concepts that racialize different groups of people through their discourses surrounding identities. Korean identity constructions can thus be viewed as a strategic and context-specific choice of Koreans for the sustained development in the context of neoliberal globalization. iii Acknowledgement I am very indebted to the many people who have given me support and encouragement along the way. In naming a few people here, I do not want to diminish my appreciation of those who remain anonymous. My deepest gratitude should be given to my parents, Dr. Jaemahn Suh and Dr. Ok-Kyung Chang. They have always encouraged me to explore the larger world beyond their experience and imagination since I was young. During my long years of study, they have been very patient and enduring, always encouraging me to do my best. They have been supporting me with their great belief, love, and hope. My committee members, Dr. James Anderson, Dr. William Cope, Dr. Linda Herrera and my advisor Dr. Yoon Pak provided much helpful advice and generous support for this project. Their ways of critically engaging knowledge and generosity in sharing their different research specialties in their comments inspired me for the further professional development. I am also grateful for Dr. Cope and Dr. Herrera taking up the responsibility of being on the committee at the last minute when two previous members could not serve any more. Dr. Anderson provided many insightful comments and constructive criticism. My advisor, Dr. Pak has been very patient, caring, and supportive over the years that I have been through ups and downs of life while studying. My colleagues and supervisors at the International and Area Studies Library and in different departments of the Main Library have been incredibly supportive and understanding while I was writing and going through the difficult times. Many of them inspired me with their own researches and provided helpful comments in developing and refining my ideas. Special thanks to my uncle, Mr. Jae-kwon Suh, for his careful reviews and unending interest on this dissertation. He has not only been my family, but also a keen reviewer of my research and a great friend for years while I was apart from my family. I also want to thank my dear friends both in iv Korea and in the United States who I need not name. They have cheered me up and enriched my life with their wits, kindness, talents, and intelligence. Last but not least, I wish to give my very special appreciation to Dr. Eun-Young Kim at Korea Educational Development Institute. She has been my friend since my second year in doctoral studies, and became my sister and mentor over a decade. Not only Dr. Kim has provided many insightful comments and critiques on this dissertation, but also given me a relentless support as I struggled through the years with my research. She often made me laugh with her wits and humor, pushed me to do better, and nurtured me with most understanding advices and unwavering friendship. v Table of Contents List of Table ................................................................................................................................ viii Chapter I Ethnic Identity Constructions in Contemporary Korea : Mono-ethnic versus Multi-ethnic Korea ....................................................................................1 Background ........................................................................................................................1 Principal Research Issues ..................................................................................................3 Research Questions ............................................................................................................5 Significance of Research ....................................................................................................6 Methodology and Data Collection ..................................................................................10 Theoretical Framework ...................................................................................................15 Research Design and Data Sources ................................................................................20 Summary and the Chapter Layouts ...............................................................................22 Notes ..................................................................................................................................24 Chapter II Post-structuralism and the Constructions of Korean Identities in Multicultural Era .....................................................................................................................25 Studies on the Korean Identity Construction ................................................................25 Identity Construction and Discourse: Post-structuralism, Power/Knowledge, and Governmentality ......................................................................42 The Relevance of Foucault’s Theory to This Research ................................................52 Chapter III Contemporary Korea and the Context of Research : Contemporary Social Context and the Discourses of Korean Identity ................................57 Introduction ......................................................................................................................57 A Shorthand Modern History of Korea .........................................................................59 Contemporary Korean Society: Democratization, Economic Advancement, and Neoliberal Reconstructions ..........................................63 Summary and Conclusion ...............................................................................................78

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